Over the last few months, I covered the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and East Texas area covering some of the top schools in the state of Texas. This is a list of the top defensive players you should be excited to watch this upcoming fall. We have a duo of defensive lineman from DeSoto High School and cornerbacks from Aledo High School. Four outstanding linebackers that are all coming off first team all-district seasons. We feature two of the loaded defensive backs that Longview High School has the offer. Lastly, two eye popping athletes that are fun to watch when you turn on the tape.
Defensive Line
Keke Abrams (DeSoto) is a 6’0 200 pound defensive end that has a bright future for the DeSoto program. He can play multiple positions and is really hard to block one on one. He was a first team all-district this past season. A opposing offensive nightmare that is only in the class of 2025.
Jason Douglas (DeSoto) is a 6’3 260 pound athlete that plays on the defensive front for the Eagles. A big and strong kid that is coming off a great state championship game. He was named 6A Division II State Championship Defensive MVP. Currently holds offers from Texas State, Jackson State, Lamar, and others.
Eze Osundo (Byron Nelson) is a 6’3 215 pound athlete who plays both linebacker and defensive end for the Bobcats. A long and fast player that is one of the big leaders for this football team. The opposing offenses needs to know where #6 is at all times. He had seven sacks this past season for the team. He currently holds offers from California, Miami(OH), and others.
Linebackers
Davhon Keys (Aledo) is a 6’0 210 pound linebacker entering his Senior season for the defending champions. A very physical and aware linebacker that just flies all over the field. “He’s pretty much going to get anywhere he wants to go to school”- Coach Jones. He was a first team all-district this past season. He is currently committed to LSU.
Brandon Booker (DeSoto) is a 6’2 205 pound linebacker that is one of the leaders for the defensive side of the ball. A “freak of nature”- Coach Mathis. A vocal leader that is fast and strong. A kid that can do it all for the defense. A very athletic linebacker that can play in space with his sideline to sideline speed. He was a first team all-district this past season. He is currently committed to Baylor.
Ashton Williams (Byron Nelson) is a 6’1 195 pound defensive playmaker for the Byron Nelson Bobcats. He was a first team all-district in his Junior campaign. A hybrid defensive player that can play both linebacker and safety at a high level. The sideline to sideline speed stands out, the prospect flies all over the field making plays for the defense. He currently holds offers from Colorado, SMU, Texas Tech, and others.
Brandon Jones (South Oak Cliff) is a 6’1 190 pound linebacker that flies all over the football field for the Bears. He will be a three year starter at South Oak Cliff. His sideline to sideline speed matched with his play recognition makes him a fun player to have on the defensive side of the ball. He was a first team all-district this past season. He is currently committed to North Texas.
Cornerbacks
Jaden Allen (Aledo) is a 5’11 160 pound lockdown cornerback for Aledo. He is going to be a 4 year starter for the team. He is a ball hawking, lockdown corner that’s just hard to throw the ball towards his direction. He was a first team all-district this past season. Allen could potentially play some of the offensive side of the ball as well this upcoming season. He is currently committed to Arkansas.
Chris Johnson Jr. (Aledo) is another 6’1 180 pound cornerback from the loaded defense of Aledo. Another ball hawking corner that isn’t afraid to play physical against his opponent at any play. Johnson has been on the rise after this past state championship year picking offers from Arkansas, Utah, Oregon, and others.
Willie Nelson (Longview) is a 5’10 170 pound returning senior for the Lobos. The dynamic defensive back can play both cornerback and safety at a high level. Nelson is your ball hawking defensive back that is hard to test at any given moment of the game. He was a first team all-district this past season. He is currently committed to Oklahoma State.
Jaylen Archibald (Frisco) is a 6’1 185 pound ball hawking cornerback that is entering his Senior season for the Frisco Raccoons. A long and physical player that flies all over the football field making punishing tackles. He is a true defensive back that will play both cornerback and safety for the defense this upcoming fall. His recruiting is heating up picking some offers from schools around the country. He currently holds offers from Air Force, Army, Dartmouth, and others.
Safeties
Kaden McFadden (Pleasant Grove) is a 5’11 185 pound athlete that plays both sides of the ball for the Pleasant Grove Hawks. McFadden is one of the most intriguing returning seniors for the team this upcoming season. On the offense, he is a speedy kid that is great in the open field. He is used in different packages that uses both his great hands and quickness to make big plays. On the other side of the ball, the Senior is basically position less because of the intensity he plays with. He has sideline to sideline speed to not only tackle the ball carrier but to hit them with bruising tackles. He was a first team all-district this past season. He currently holds offers from Minnesota, Memphis, Houston, and others.
Daedrion “Buddha” Garrett (Longview) is a 6’0 200 pound athlete that plays in the secondary for the Longview Lobos. “Buddha”, as they call him, has incredible speed that enables him to fly and make punishing tackles to his opponents. He was one of the major defensive pieces in the Longview run this past season falling just one game short of the state title game. He currently holds offers from Boston College, North Texas, Tulsa, and others.
Athletes
Ryan Ventura (Keller) is a 5’9 185 pound athlete entering his Senior season for the Indians. Another multi-sport athlete that plays on both sides of the football for the team. You better know where #7 is on the football field every play or he will make you regret it. A ball hawking safety that flies all over the football field making plays for the defense. Oh, and he plays running back and has the role in the return game as well.
Jaylen Boardley (Pleasant Grove) is a 6’0 180 pound multi-sport athlete, that plays both sides of the football for the Hawks. On the offensive side, he is a very physical running back that has great hands out of the back field. On the defensive side, the Class of 2024 prospect has the ability to fly sideline to sideline to make punishing tackles at linebacker. He was a first team all-district this past season. He is currently committed to Oklahoma State.
